A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 127 - 111: Four Fierce Generals and Eight Mighty Hammers, Fire Kiln Master Li

Chatting casually with this young man who claims to be the seventh in line in the He Family's main branch, Bai Qi was surprised to discover that he was truly here to deliver gifts!

Looking at He Jingfeng's sincere face, which didn't seem fake with enthusiasm, Bai Qi couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Is the high-class society in Yihai Prefecture truly so approachable? Ha, only a fool would believe that!

From Bai Qi's past experience mingling with Brother Fu's circle, there were indeed sons of landlords who were foolish and wealthy, but they were rare.

It's hard to imagine a pampered young lord from a distinguished background sitting together with a poor household struggling for food.

They are basically worlds apart.

The former can't understand why someone would sell their children for a few bushels of rice, while the latter can't empathize with a meal costing seventy to eighty taels of silver yet considering it "frugal."

The wealthier one is, the less they can comprehend the harshness of the world or the struggles of the weak.

Because they neither have the opportunity nor the willingness to try.

So Bai Qi changed his perspective and figured out the source, Tongwen Hall and Ninghai Zen!

Do the words "hidden talents in Yihai" really carry such weight?

Master indeed has hidden many things, not telling me. Tomorrow, I must ask Uncle Dao about it.

"Brother Bai, though you have only achieved one practice, when you walk, you show some true intent of the Jade Tree Hanging Treasure Robe. Your muscles are relaxed, bones are firm, and your breathing is even and powerful, far surpassing many who are mere show-offs."

He Jingfeng earnestly praised, not intending to flatter. The Four Great Martial Arts Practices seem easy and ordinary, but they are practiced by both skilled and excellent practitioners.

Yet the levels in between vary greatly, like differences between clouds and mud.

The Dragon Court Daoist Official established the Golden Flesh and Jade Veins, Mercury Blood Silver Marrow, Water and Fire Immortal Robe, Circulation of Qi, four complete achievements.

In other words, only completing these four steps grants access to the Dharma Eye, while the mediocre ones struggling to break through are not taken seriously at all.

Ninghai Zen, with his three practices, cultivated the Water and Fire Immortal Robe that even ghosts and gods fear, reducing the Seventeenth Lineage to the current Thirteenth Lineage, even preventing those with four practices from advancing.

Meanwhile, the Martial Arts Master of the Inner City, though of the same three practices, couldn't suppress the Red Eyebrow Bandits leader with the Secret Technique Pill granted by the Demon King.

This shows the stark difference.

"Young Master He praises too highly."

Bai Qi was slightly surprised. Since achieving one practice perfection, Golden Flesh and Jade Veins, those martial arts masters watching had failed to see the truth, yet He Jingfeng revealed it with one sentence.

This seventh young master of the He Family's main branch indeed has some skills, not just a decorated pillow.

"Ah, Brother Bai doesn't need to be humble. I practiced both Dao and martial arts from a young age, and am familiar with some qi-discerning techniques. Your perfection of one practice is quite rare even in the County City."

He Jingfeng's brows showed a hint of pride; no matter how powerful Ninghai Zen was, his disciples couldn't touch the threshold of cultivation, which was an undisputed fact.

Without external resources or spiritual energy, even the greatest talent would be buried in remote areas.

"The combination of Daoist skills and martial arts—this is the level of foundational education in high-class families? The gap is truly large."

Bai Qi raised an eyebrow. His current knowledge of Daoist skills only included two pieces of yellow paper skills with barely recognizable characters.

In the Dezhen Tower of Tongwen Hall, there were no relevant ancient books or classics.

This shows the threshold for cultivation is indeed remarkably high.

In contrast to He Jingfeng, due to his He Family's main branch lineage, he had never lacked superior martial arts since childhood, even possessing access to Daoist skills.

It inevitably evokes reflection on the class gap under Dragon Court's rule consisting of three registers and six households.

"Young Master He, a talent of Yihai Prefecture, why inexplicably come to Black River County? For a leisurely outing?"

After some idle chit-chat, Bai Qi finally cut to the chase.

Looking beyond the house, he saw several strong servants carrying loads of various gifts.

Such as Jade Water Rice, Golden Orchid, Gentiana… things he had never heard of, delivered like a flowing stream.

"He Wenbing is a collateral branch of the He Family, blind to people's abilities, poorly educated, raising a traitorous member colluding with the Red Eyebrow Bandits, even entangled with demons.

Upon learning this, my father flew into a rage and sent me to Black River County with all haste, enforcing family law to set an example!"

He Jingfeng sat in the old house's main hall, not touched the tea brought by Xiaotou, only smiling:

"Today's visit is to offer sincere apologies on his behalf. He Wenbing is deceitful, even attempting to use a borrowed knife to suppress Brother Bai with the name of He Family in Yihai Prefecture and reclaim his lost properties. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

But my He Family is a scholarly family, a lineage of officials, never breaking promises once made!

Brother Bai, those few shops and piers, feel free to take them!

Additionally, the small gifts I prepared, please accept them, don't consider it shabby."

Uncle Yang, waiting by the side, couldn't help but twitch his eye at this seventh young master's change from arrogant to humble.

Wherever has that He Family arrogance just upon your arrival gone to?

It's completely disappeared!

"As the saying goes, no merit, no reward. I've done nothing, so receiving such valuable gifts without reason doesn't feel right."

Bai Qi pondered deeply, his tone uncertain, somewhat akin to hesitatingly accepting red envelopes during New Year.

Since it's aimed at Tongwen Hall, indulging in a bit of sweet talk shouldn't be an issue.

Why not take the gold coins from those rich fools, no harm in it!

"Brother Bai is wrong in saying that. I'm new to Black River County, unfamiliar with the place, and need a guide to understand the situation.

Moreover, meeting Brother Bai made me feel an instant connection, a great affinity…"

He Jingfeng chuckled, once adjusting his attitude, was impeccable in how he received people.

After all, born into a grand family with exposure from an early age, one can hardly stray from propriety.

"Guide? Young Master He plans to stay in Black River County for a long time?"

Bai Qi detected the underlying message.

"Probably until the end of the year. This trip, cleaning up He Wenbing's mess is secondary. The primary reason is my elder brother's request to search for Master Li of the Fire Kiln to forge weapons."

He Jingfeng wasn't secretive at all, straightforwardly stating:

"Brother Bai might not know, but Li Yuan, Master Li, is extraordinary; he is appointed by Dragon Court as a Master Craftsman. Among the six households, craftsmen take precedence, encompassing all sorts. As long as one possesses outstanding skills like blacksmithing, shipbuilding, or military service, and passes down for three generations, one can be classified as Craftsmen."

Bai Qi nodded; craftsmen are varied, including blacksmiths, carpenters, stonemasons, builders, military craftsmen, etc., all sorts.

Only those with unique skills passed down for three generations are rightfully Craftsmen.

Their status surpasses merchants and farmers, and even if they commit crimes, they can offset punishment through military service, avoiding being relegated to Slave Households.

The only downside is that once becoming Craftsmen, descendants adhere to the corresponding trade, hardly exploring alternative paths.

"Craftsmen also vary in level; the lowest is workmen, divided into 'stationed' and 'rotating' types. Stationed are recruited by the government office, working ten days monthly, receiving rice grain without pay. Rotating involves arduous duty, requiring military conscription.

Moving up are Skillful Craftsmen, Able Craftsmen, Master Craftsmen, Divine Craftsmen… the more skilled, the more competent, the less constrained by rules."

Facing the legendary disciple of Ning the Madman, He Jingfeng couldn't resist demonstrating, explaining in detail:

"Anyone reaching Master Craftsman status possesses skills akin to Dao, often with specialized techniques.

For instance, Li Yuan, Master Li, excels at crafting hammers, among his pinnacle creations are the 'Eight Great Hammers of Gold, Silver, Copper, and Iron.'"

Bai Qi was adept at engaging and admiring, asking just the right questions:

"Oh, what are the 'Eight Great Hammers of Gold, Silver, Copper, and Iron'?"

Noting Bai Qi's awe in his eyes, He Jingfeng felt delight, akin to drinking a chilled sour plum juice in the summer, continuing with a smile:

"Since hammers are twin-handed weapons, they consist of four pairs making eight, known as the Eight Great Hammers.

They are named, Drumming Jar Golden Hammer, Eight-Edged Plum Blossom Shining Silver Hammer, Human-faced Black Copper Hammer, Iron Oil Pressing Hammer.

Their wielders are all fiercely renowned, gradually spreading the impressive name 'Four Fierce Generals and Eight Great Hammers.'